Wednesday, February 10

I have a confession. I'm not really all that into Valentine's Day. That may seem odd given the number of Valentine posts that I have written and that I dedicated this week to Valentine's Day crafts. But I have really never celebrated it much. It always seemed like a commercialized holiday meant to guilt men into buying jewelry and flowers. Personally, I prefer my husband to bring home flowers on a random Tuesday than on the day that the media tells him he should. So, we have always had under-stated Valentine's celebrations... a special meal, time together, etc.

But with a 2-1/2 year-old, I suddenly have a desire to make the holiday special. I remember my mother fixing special valentine's treats and surprises. One year it was a cute little clothes-pin doll with a red and white pattern dress that she had made to look like me. It's funny how those things stick in your memory. My mother is an amazingly talented woman and I find myself wanting to create those same types of memories for my daughter.

Most of these posts have been about crafts for my daughter. However, with this renewed interest in Valentine's Day, I have also found myself wanting to do a little decorating. These votives were a simple and cheap (i.e. free since everything was in the house) option to add an extra touch. I used these two love quotes that I found, both related to food since I planned on putting the votives on our kitchen table.

"Life is the flower

for which love is the honey."

~ Victor Hugo

"Love is a fruit in season at all times,

and in reach of every hand."

~ Mother Teresa

Here are the instructions, though I admit that this is so easy you don't even need them.

Supplies:

Quotes printed on paper

Paper cutter or scissors

Paper Ripper (I'm not sure the real name of this), optional

Tape

Votive Holder

Tea light Candle

Directions:

Print desired quotes onto paper.

Cut out paper to desired height (make sure shorter than votive holder). I used the paper ripper to create a ragged edge on the top. However, that is completely optional.

Determine how much paper is needed to wrap around the holder and just overlap. Cut off excess.

I have felt the same way about Valentine's Day, but found a great book to read to my children about who St. Valentine truly is, and why we celebrate this day in honor of him. It truly is much more than a Hallmark holiday if you look further into it. You can find the book at Voice of the Martyrs website. (vom.com) Great children's book...for age 4-6 I would say. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did! Julie in St. Louis